Australia's population is growing at one of the fastest rates in decades due to a combination of a relatively high immigration rate and a rising birth rate, with two-thirds of growth coming from immigration, though the country still has a low overall birth rate of around 1.8 children per woman. Population growth presents both opportunities like economic expansion but also challenges around housing, infrastructure, and supporting new immigrants. Environmentalists also express concerns about the impacts of a larger population on greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource use.

1. Australia's Currently
Population Growth
We are growing at a rate unprecedented to the last three
decades. Contrast that with many countries in Europe
where it's actually heading in the other direction.
Although our low birth rate of 1 8 is up a little almost
1.8 little,
two-thirds of population growth came from net
immigration
2.50%
2.00%
1.50%
Series1
1.00%
0.50%
0.00%
AUSTRALIA INDIA U.S.A CHINA U.K

2. Reason for an i
R f increased
d
population
 Australia has an aging population: Australia has an
aging population is due to the post war baby boom
that h
th t happened d i
d during th 1960’s. Birth rates during
the 1960’ Bi th t d i
the 60’s were well above three children per female
 One of the main reasons the government wants a “Big
O f th i th t t “Bi
Australia” is that at the same time we accept more
immigrants we grow our economy accordingly and
as a result increase GDPGDP.
 Increased taxes
 Skilled Labour

3. Problems as a result of increased
population
 Housing: With such a large number of immigrants the
government must take into account the critical issue of housing.
It is estimated that 170,000 homes would be need for the yearly
influx of people. As you can see by the graph below supply has
remained constant and if anything has decreased
 Infrastructure: Infrastructure is
very expensive to maintain and
implement correctly. The government
has introduce GAIC to assist with
development of infra structure.
 Support of immigrants:
◦ Set up costs
◦ Looking after family
g y
◦ Passage costs

4. Environmental Factors
◦ “Until Australia has reversed the decline in our
ecosystem and our greenhouse pollution
levels,
levels we should be very cautious about
policies that would increase our population.
(The population myth, 2010)
◦IIncreased green house gasses with a
d h ith
population increase.
◦ “Economists say we have to have growth,
y g ,
while environmentalists say we have to stop.”(
O’Neill , 2008)

5. Population forecasts
 Melbourne
Melbo ne 2030 report put Melbourne under a high
epo t p t Melbo ne nde
population increase at 4.8million. Published 2002
 The Australian Bureau of Statists report now put Melbourne
for a high bracket at 5.2million and a low of 4.8million by
2026. Published 2008
 People has since released at follow up document to
Melbourne 2030 and that is Melbourne at 5 million.
 Even two years on since the Australian Bureau of Statists
E t i th A t li B f St ti t
the figures would be seen now as conservative.